The short answer
Both PDF and DOCX work with modern ATS. PDF is the safer default because it preserves your layout exactly on every machine. The one rule that overrides everything: if the application asks for a specific format, send that format.
Why the "PDF breaks ATS" myth persists
Around a decade ago, some parsers genuinely struggled with PDFs. That's no longer the case — the major systems (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo, and the rest) read text-based PDFs cleanly. The advice survived long after the technology moved on. What hasn't changed is that image-based PDFs fail: if you scanned a printed resume or exported it as a picture, no parser can read it.
PDF: the case for
- Layout is locked. What you see is what the recruiter sees — no reflowing, no font substitution.
- Looks professional and consistent across devices.
- Parses fine when it's real text (which it is, if you exported from a document, not a scan).
DOCX: the case for
- Some older systems and a few recruiters still prefer it.
- Editable — recruiters or agencies sometimes reformat before forwarding.
- Zero parsing risk on legacy ATS, though this rarely matters now.
The downside: DOCX can render differently on another machine (fonts, spacing), so your careful layout may shift.
What actually decides your score
File type is a footnote. The things that move your ranking are a parseable single-column layout and matching the job's keywords. Get those right in either format and you're fine.
LaTeX-typeset PDFs (what my-resume produces) are a strong default: they're always real text, single-column, and consistent — easy for an ATS to parse and sharp for the human after.
FAQ
Is a PDF resume ATS-friendly?
Yes — modern ATS parses text-based PDFs reliably. Just avoid image/scanned PDFs.
PDF or Word?
Follow the listing. If unspecified, PDF is the safer default for layout fidelity.
Why do people still say use Word?
Outdated caution from older parsers. Today layout and keywords matter far more than file type.
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